In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Muslims, Jews, Christians all lived together in relative peace in Jerusalem, a center of what was then the Ottoman Empire. It was multi- cultural, open minded and peaceful. There was a film made way back in 1913 that reflected the beginning of change. This brilliant documentary is a MUST SEE if you wish to begin to get a larger understanding of what has happened since.

This is what I hope will be the first of numerous posts about the Nakba, the “Catastrophe” in Arabic, which is generally used to describe the forced removal of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland in 1948. The anniversary, if that is the proper word is generally recognized on May 15, the day after the foundation of the state of Israel, according the Gregorian calendar, being of course, May 14, 1948. But as this very well written history points out, it didn’t begin in 1948, but some 200 years earlier. This is a very sad tale of long term oppression, of brutal imperialist governments without a care about the people in their rule, but outside their borders. I would ask EVERYONE to read this, to ask questions, to find out what REALLY happened in 1948,, why those who were forced out of their homes and country are STILL not allowed to return. I promise it will anger you, I truly hope it will open your eyes.